There is my son Nick, graduating high school. He sure got mom's good looks, right?
This was a great ceremony, with nearly all the speakers doing a fantastic job. My favorite was Mrs Daniels, a teacher voted by the students to be the representative staff speaker. Several years ago she developed an "inoperable brain mass" and was told she had a few months to live. Well, things didn't quite work out that way, fortunately.
She gave an impassioned and relevant speech about living life. Last week I watched the last Oprah show. I thought it was quite good, and that she really did sum up what she has learned about people over the 25 years. But Mrs. Daniels was even better. Just her, her experiences and thoughts. She was talking to the students, but I felt every parent ought to be listening as well. We have less time left. I'm hoping her speech ends up on youtube. If it does I'll post a link here.
Afterward we got to see Nick with some of the kids he played soccer with back when he was 6 years old. It was like completing a circle, and it really felt good. Now it is time for him to move on. And so it is with me and my wife, which you'll hear more about shortly.
I saw and talked to a lot of wonderful young adults yesterday, from this community. 90% of the 500 or so grads are going to college.
I offer my congrats to everyone graduating this year. Junior High, High School, College. Cheers to your hard work. And good luck with what is next for you - make a difference. (And to you parents that put your kids there as well!)
